Chapter 44: Chapter 40: The 25th of the First Month, Awakening of Insects

「The 25th of the First Month.」

Qingzhu Hall was the same as always; nothing had changed.

Lu Mingyuan, brush in hand, applied the final stroke, at last finishing the rows of Papermen before him.

With practice, it had become second nature, and he no longer wasted as much paper as he did at the start.

After finishing, he subconsciously glanced toward the withered tree behind him. It was as if a beautiful figure was there—clad in a green Daoist robe, her snowy hair like a waterfall—bracing herself on a branch with both hands, her feet dangling and swinging as she gazed up at the sky.

But when he focused his gaze, the treetop was empty.

Miss Yun was gone.

She had left the morning before last while he was still asleep. There was no farewell, for she was not one for goodbyes.

Perhaps, as Miss Yun had said, their connection had never been that deep. They were merely passing strangers, so there was nothing to be sad about.

Lu Mingyuan took a deep breath and looked at his palm. A crystalline, translucent figure with tiny veins suddenly materialized, sitting cross-legged in the void. It was a Blood Glutton Little Person.

He tossed it forward.

The Blood Glutton Little Person merged with a Paperman.

In his current state, he could summon five Papermen and one Blood Glutton Little Person at most.

The Blood Glutton Little Person was formed from his Life Essence Blood, which was why he couldn’t create too many of them yet.

Still, he felt it was enough for now.

With a light tap of the Vermilion Bird Brush, all the Papermen came to life.

Compared to the first version, the bodies of these second-generation Papermen were more refined and their features more three-dimensional. They could walk freely and even use Martial Arts, powerful enough to kill an adult man.

Lu Mingyuan glanced around. Seeing no one, he took a piece of hand-pulled lamb from the table and tossed it into the Blood Glutton Little Person’s body.

The next second, the Paperman’s body grew a fraction larger and a centimeter taller.

With a thought, it shrank back to its original size.

Seeing this, Lu Mingyuan nodded in satisfaction and tossed the remaining four Papermen from the table into its body.

The Blood Glutton Little Person reached out, catching them and swallowing them in one gulp. Now they were stored inside its belly. This way, he could use this avatar to control the Papermen and accomplish many things he couldn’t before.

He controlled the Blood Glutton Little Person, sending it to scout outside the Cold Palace.

As soon as it left the palace, it discovered many men in the Bright Lamp Bureau’s brocade clothing heading out of the Imperial City.

He had it hurry to catch up, clinging to the inside of a Bright Lamp Guard’s red cloak to follow them out of the palace and investigate.

「Prince Jin’s Mansion.」

The brightly lit estate was surrounded by squads of Black-armored Soldiers tonight.

Lu Mingyuan, following the Bright Lamp Guard, arrived at the Prince Mansion and was astonished by the scene.

’Isn’t this Prince Jin’s Mansion? I remember this is the territory of that guy, the Second Prince, Lu Guangjing. What’s with this formation?’

Just then, a Commander of the Bright Lamp Department with a hooked nose and a grim, severe expression held up a golden scroll of jade and silk and announced loudly:

“After an investigation by the Bright Lamp Bureau, the Witchcraft disaster has been found to have a hidden story. The Second Prince has been privately employing Magicians, which is highly suspicious. Today, Prince Jin will be imprisoned to undergo interrogation by the Bright Lamp Bureau.”

What?

’The Second Prince was arrested?’

Lu Mingyuan was very surprised, even confused.

’Why would the Bright Lamp Bureau arrest him out of the blue?’

’Someone must have given the order from behind the scenes. But only the Holy Emperor can command the Bright Lamp Bureau. With the Holy Emperor away, that only leaves the Cabinet, which holds the Supreme Authority of Regency.’

’And the current Cabinet is entirely composed of the Eldest Prince’s faction.’

’In other words, the Eldest Prince is targeting Lu Guangjing?’

Lu Mingyuan watched as an incredibly handsome young man in a dark Python Robe with an extraordinary bearing was “invited” into a sedan chair.

’So this is Lu Guangjing?’

’This is the first time I’ve ever seen his face.’

’I didn’t expect him to be so handsome, with skin as fair as a girl’s.’

’But why isn’t he resisting?’

Lu Guangjing entered the sedan chair, its windows locked, with a placid expression. He seemed completely unperturbed.

Afterward, the Bright Lamp Bureau returned to the Imperial Palace.

Lu Mingyuan wanted to see who the mastermind was, so he continued to follow the Bright Lamp Bureau into the Imperial Palace, passing through vermilion-gated corridors, garden halls, and past numerous Palace Maids and eunuchs.

To prevent the aura of the Blood Glutton Little Person from being detected, he chose to keep his distance, eavesdropping from outside the door.

Finally, in a guest hall, he saw an imposing, middle-aged man in a scarlet robe with a Jade Belt.

Upon seeing this man, Lu Mingyuan had a realization.

’Cui Qingfeng, the current Minister of Rites and a First-Grade Scholar of Wenhua Hall. He’s the Patriarch of the prominent Cui Family.’

’The Cui Family supports the Eldest Prince. It seems the Eldest Prince really did give the signal behind the scenes.’

“Lord Cui, the man has been apprehended.”

The Commander of the Bright Lamp Department said respectfully.

Cui Qingfeng nodded, then looked toward another young man in a purple Python Robe who was gazing out the window. He smiled faintly.

“Your Highness, everything went smoothly. There were indeed traces of a Witch Sect Magician, so we can frame him and manipulate the evidence.”

Lu Changfeng turned around, in high spirits. A broad smile covered his face as he said, “Excellent. I never expected it, I really didn’t. Second Brother has finally fallen into my hands. With him out of the picture, everything else will be easy to handle.”

Cui Qingfeng voiced his doubts. “The situation is excellent now. Why not announce the Holy Decree and rightfully take the Supreme Authority of Regency? After all, the Holy Emperor sent back the decree days ago, entrusting this great responsibility to you. If you hadn’t told us to wait, the Cabinet would have already announced the news.”

Lu Changfeng shook his head. “Elder Mr. Qi advised against it, saying there’s a problem with it.”

Cui Qingfeng, however, was dismissive. “Now that the Second Prince is no longer a threat to you, announcing your regency as soon as possible will crush the ambitions of the other princes. It’s a guaranteed path to victory.”

“Qi Xingyan is a Great Scholar, incredibly learned, it’s true. But his heart is filled with benevolence and righteousness, and he prioritizes etiquette and rites. When it comes to the struggles of the Court, he is a bit too indecisive.”

’The Supreme Authority of Regency?’

Hearing this, a question arose in Lu Mingyuan’s mind.

’Emperor Yong’an actually gave the Supreme Authority of Regency to the Eldest Prince.’

’Is he really planning to groom the Eldest Prince as his successor?’

Lu Changfeng said hesitantly, “Elder Mr. Qi is, after all, the Mountain Master of Shengjing Academy. His backing is considerable, and I still need his support.”

But Cui Qingfeng just smiled. “Your Highness, the momentum is already in your favor. Among all the princes, who can possibly contend with you now? Once the news of your regency is released, the students and Confucian Scholars from all thirty-six academies in the realm will flock to you, drawn by your reputation. When that time comes, will you still be lacking the support of a single Shengjing Academy?”

“That makes sense.” Lu Changfeng nodded.

“Elder Mr. Qi is indeed a bit too cautious. If I continue to miss this opportunity, I’m afraid Fourth Brother, Seventh Brother, and Eighth Brother will become real threats.”

After careful consideration, Lu Changfeng still felt that accepting the Supreme Authority of Regency was the best course of action.

“Starting today, announce the matter of the regency.”

….

“Your Highness, the Eighth Prince is here to see you.”

His concentration was broken, and Lu Mingyuan’s consciousness slowly returned to Qingzhu Hall.

He saw Zi Yun, who was on duty outside the door, step forward to report.

’Eighth Brother? What’s he doing here at this hour?’

Lu Mingyuan wondered, confused.

“Let him in.”

Lu Yunqing, who was always as gentle as jade, a refined Gentleman, now had an anxious look on his face. He found Lu Mingyuan and glanced around. Zi Yun discreetly withdrew, and only then did he speak:

“Sixth Brother, Eldest Brother is planning to rebel.”

“Rebel? That can’t be right.”

Lu Mingyuan frowned.

’I just saw the Eldest Prince make his decision with a look of delight. Doesn’t he have the Supreme Authority of Regency in hand? What reason would he have to rebel?’

Lu Yunqing explained earnestly, “Third Brother has returned from the eastern campaign. He told me that everything was going smoothly at the front, but an accident occurred, so he came back early. He never expected Eldest Brother to mobilize troops without authorization and dare to have Second Brother detained tonight.”

Lu Mingyuan asked curiously, “What happened at the front lines?”

Almost everyone wanted to know what had happened to their Imperial Father at the front, but very few people knew the details.

“Imperial Father flattened the Eastern Yi Small Countries in just three days. His momentum was unstoppable, the army’s might was overwhelming. He conquered eighteen cities in a row and pushed hundreds of miles across the border. It was a great victory. He was only one final Royal Capital away from annihilating their nation.

However, that Eastern Yi nation sacrificed the lives of their entire Royal Capital’s populace to summon their National Fortune Deity, which severely wounded tens of thousands of our soldiers. Fortunately, Imperial Father was protected by the Great Yan Dragon Fortune and escaped harm. The chief Tributor of the Dao Alliance, the master of the Sword Dao, Immortal Zuo Ren, arrived and slayed the National Fortune Deity, an Eight-headed Demon Snake, with a single strike.

They were about to return to celebrate their success, but then reinforcements from the Demon Country’s army arrived and surrounded the Great Yan forces. So, they had no choice but to let Third Brother break through the encirclement and return to the capital first.”

Lu Yunqing recounted the general course of events.

“I see.”

Lu Mingyuan recalled the disturbance in the Dragon Vein from a few days ago and suddenly understood.

’So that’s what caused the earthquake.’

Lu Yunqing sighed. “Although Imperial Father is unharmed, his body has been greatly weakened. That’s why he wrote a Holy Decree and sent it back to the capital to stabilize the situation. But it’s only been a few days, and Eldest Brother is already acting like this. He must be harboring malicious intent; thoughts of rebellion have clearly taken root.”

Lu Mingyuan felt that something wasn’t quite right. He asked, “When Third Brother returned, did he know the contents of the Holy Decree?”

“He shouldn’t. Peeking at a Holy Decree before it reaches the capital is a capital offense.” Lu Yunqing shook his head.

Lu Mingyuan fell into thought. ’It seems neither the Third Prince nor the Eighth Prince knows about the regency. Only the Cabinet knows; the matter hasn’t been revealed at all.’

’That’s why they think the Eldest Prince is rebelling and suppressing his rivals.’

’In reality, he already has Imperial Father’s support and is preparing to seize the position of Crown Prince by proving his abilities as regent.’

’I wonder if this is the final test.’

He knew all this but couldn’t tell Lu Yunqing, or he would expose himself.

’So, they’re about to clash with the Eldest Prince.’

“Sixth Brother, leave the palace with me tonight. If this continues, we’ll all be harmed by Eldest Brother.”

Lu Yunqing suggested in a low voice.

“Leave the palace? How?”

Lu Mingyuan’s heart leaped, his expression one of shock.

“Third Brother has his ways.”

At that very moment.

The Six-Yao Turtle Shell, which had been silent for a long time, emitted a brilliant light. A new crack appeared on its mottled surface, and wisps of light and text materialized before Lu Mingyuan’s eyes.

[The 25th of the First Month, Jingzhe]

[The struggle for the Crown Prince, partisan conflict brings disaster, armed conflict is imminent. Play the fisherman and reap the rewards; turn misfortune into good fortune.]

[Middle Trigram of Good Fortune: Remain in the Imperial Palace. Though armed conflict is imminent, it will be a scare without true danger. The crisis can be resolved by oneself, leaving no future worries. Obtain a Fluorescent Green Fate Grid (Swordsman). Minor Good Fortune!]

[Middle Trigram of Evil: Secretly leave the palace tonight with your maternal grandfather, Wang He’fu. Flee from the conflict and go to Jiangnan Gusu to live as a hermit in the mountains. You will lose your status, Emperor Yong’an will be enraged, and your mother’s life will be in peril. Minor Misfortune!]

[Lower Trigram of Evil: Heed Lu Yunqing’s suggestion to leave the palace and avoid disaster. Join the fight against the Eldest Prince’s faction. The baleful aura of armed conflict will fill the sky. Certain death awaits. Great Misfortune!]

…..

These two Chapters today add up to over seven thousand characters, so don’t you dare call me short!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep